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+Episode 3.05, The Outing, Part 2
+--------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has been inquiring about yoga classes on the phone in her room.
+Elizabeth’s comment has really resonated with her, “If you like
+something, then learn everything you can about it. It will give you
+something positive to pursue and keep your mind off the bad things.”
+And of course, the bad thing is what God was talking about.
+
+Will and Lilly are finishing dinner preparations. The main course is
+Will’s calzone pie. He took today off from work and has been spending
+the day preparing it from scratch. Lilly has prepared her
+grandmother’s special seasoning mix and is making the salad.
+
+Will – “Helen, please call the kids for dinner.”
+
+At the table, Helen begins, “Lilly, would you say the prayer for us
+today?”
+
+Lilly – “Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub, Yea God.” She pauses to
+check the expression on everyone’s face.
+
+Helen – “Lilly, please.”
+
+As she expected, everyone but Helen is smiling. Will is especially
+amused by the exchange. He has actually come to enjoy Lilly’s warped
+sense of humor. He was never keen on the resumption of the dinner
+prayer in the first place, but he agreed because, well, he had to.
+When he told Kevin that all you have is family, he meant it, and even
+though he enjoys his career, his family is his reason for living.
+Lately, Helen and Joan are always talking about God. Even Kevin is
+joining in, because he is in love with a former nun. What can he do?
+This is a freight train that he must either get on or be left behind,
+and being left behind is not an option. Is it sinking in? Is he being
+converted? Maybe, maybe not, but at least now he listens.
+
+Lilly - “What makes you think God doesn’t have a sense of humor?” She
+pauses for an answer, but there is none, “Okay, for real this time.
+Bless us Oh Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive
+through thy bounty through Christ Our Lord, Amen.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you.”
+
+Will stands up and proceeds around the table, pouring red wine into
+everyone’s glass. “Your mother has an announcement to make; and I
+believe you will all be pleased.” He returns to his seat.
+
+Helen – “As most of you know, the school board cut the funding for
+the art classes last year. I have really been upset about it. We
+never asked for that much in the first place. When they cut my
+budget, they increased the budget for the sports program. It just
+infuriated me with its unfairness. So last night, your father and I
+attended the school board meeting. When I got up to the podium, I was
+scared to death. I began by being very polite, explaining how art was
+an important subject for the students to learn. Then Ryan Hunter
+interrupted me, saying that sports were more important.”
+
+Will interjects, “And then she really gave them hell!”
+
+Helen – “Okay, I lost it. I told them just what I thought and
+threatened to quit if they didn’t restore the funding for art. The
+chairman thanked me and adjourned the meeting for a ten-minute
+recess. The members of the board all left for another room. I was so
+scared, because I have really come to love teaching art. When they
+came back, they called me up to the front. The chairman announced
+that they had agreed to restore 75% of the funding that was cut last
+year. It was also wonderful to see the disgruntled look on Ryan
+Hunter’s face.”
+
+Everyone begins to offer their congratulations, but Helen interrupts,
+“Wait, there’s more!” She pauses for a moment, “After the meeting, a
+woman came up to me. She said that she was a representative of the
+local 340 teachers’ union. She told me that I had stolen her thunder.
+She had planned to speak on the same subject. Art teachers everywhere
+in the county were upset. She congratulated me and said that now she
+would have to go back to picking on Gavin Price…”
+
+Joan busts out laughing. Everyone looks at her strange because it was
+funny, but not that funny, “I’m sorry, I know this woman. I met her
+once at school. And she really does love to pull Price’s chain!”
+
+Joan calms down and, once again, everyone offers their
+congratulations, but this time they follow it by clicking their wine
+glasses together.
+
+Joan – “Mom, congratulations, really. If I had known you were going
+to talk, I would have taken off work last night. I’ll bet Adam will
+be pleased when he hears about it.”
+
+Helen – “Adam already knows. He and Mr. Rove were at the meeting. We
+talked afterwards.”
+
+Joan is once again taken aback by learning something about Adam
+through someone else. Her inner turmoil continues.
+
+Luke – “That’s great, Mom. Grace will be impressed, standing up to
+the imperialist regime!”
+
+Lilly – “Well, I’m glad you’ve gotten past your martyr phase. Some
+things are worth fighting for.”
+
+Kevin – “That’s great Mom. Did we get a paper today? I’d like to see
+if they wrote about it.”
+
+Helen – “I think it’s in the living room. So Joan, tell us about your
+day.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I spent most of it in my room. I have been calling
+everywhere trying to find a cheap yoga class. I really like yoga now,
+but I want to learn more. I’m doing something wrong. I want to learn
+to do it right.”
+
+Helen – “I’ve seen you practicing. You seem to be doing fine to me.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I’m not. I’m missing something. I just can’t figure it
+out and that brings me to my next subject. I was going to wait until
+later, but now is as good a time as any.” She pauses trying to find
+the right words, but blurts out, “I need my allowance back! I just
+don’t make enough at the bookstore, and even if I find a class, I
+won’t have enough money to pay for it. Mom, Dad, pleee-heeez!”
+
+Will – “Your mother and I have already discussed it. I’ll give you
+this week’s allowance after dinner.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
+
+Helen – “Marlene from the office mentioned once that she takes yoga
+classes through her church… St. Michael’s Episcopal, I think. I’ll
+call her and find out more about it.”
+
+Joan – “Where’s St. Michael’s?”
+
+Helen – “It’s across town, but you can take the bus. I'm not even
+sure the classes are at the church. It was just something she
+mentioned in passing, and it was months ago. I’ll call her later and
+get the details.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, remember, cheap, cheap, cheap.”
+
+Helen – “Luke, how was your day?”
+
+Luke – “Friedman and I went to the arcade this morning and played
+video games. Later, we went to his house and played a new game that
+he downloaded from the Internet. It’s called Phantom Warrior… really
+cool! Then we just messed around with his computer and talked for
+awhile.”
+
+Helen – “Lilly?”
+
+Lilly – “Oh, I just worked with the slimes restoring a house on Fay
+Street. We just started this one. The plumbing is shot. We’ll have to
+completely rebuild the bathroom. But I found a plumber to do the work
+at cost.”
+
+Helen – “Kevin?”
+
+Kevin – “I took today off from work and went shopping. I needed some
+new clothes. I have to show you the shirt I found on sale. It’s
+Hawaiian-like. It’s white with big red flowers on it. I thought it
+would make a good golfing shirt.”
+
+Will – “We haven’t done that together in a while. Wayne Goetzmann
+plays golf. Why don’t the three of us set it up?”
+
+Helen – “Will?”
+
+Will – “I had a meeting with the County Commissioner a few weeks ago.
+The governor has authorized them to reinstate the Arcadia City
+Council. They have written a new city charter. There will be a
+referendum in September. City elections will follow.” He pauses and
+takes a drink of wine.
+
+“They are looking for a new Chief of Police, and he offered me the
+job. I was surprised, because I expected the job to be offered to Roy
+Roebuck, but Roy has decided instead to accept a newly created
+position as County Fire Chief. Roy and I talked later, and he is
+looking forward to his new position.” He pauses once again.
+
+“This left me really torn. Being Chief of Police wasn’t the most
+pleasant part of my career, but I have been giving it some serious
+thought. Now that the administration of the city has been cleaned up,
+I think things will be different. It will be as it should have been
+in the first place. I have decided to accept the position.”
+
+Everyone spontaneously cheers and offers their congratulations.
+
+Kevin – “It’s strange I didn’t hear something at the paper. Stuff
+like that is usually leaked.”
+
+Will – “I’m surprised you didn’t hear it either, but I’m glad I could
+make this a surprise. They will have a press conference tomorrow to
+make the official announcement.”
+
+Helen – “We have been bursting to tell everyone, but we thought it
+was best to tell you tonight along with the school news. Both make
+for a great celebration.”
+
+A sly grin forms across Joan’s face, “Let’s have some more wine to
+celebrate.” They all laugh and Will walks around the table filling
+everyone’s glass again.
+
+Will – “Celebrate indeed, but Joan and Luke, this is it for the
+night.”
+
+Later that evening, Helen talks to Joan, “I called Marlene. The class
+is at St. Michael’s, in their basement. It’s on Wednesday and Friday
+mornings at 6:30.”
+
+Joan – “Why so early? I’ll have to leave while it’s still dark.”
+
+Helen – “They do it early so people can still get to work on time. We
+can let you use the car if you need it, and the bus might run early
+enough. We’ll have to check.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks Mom, I really do want this.”
+
+Helen – “They don’t charge a fee. They accept donations. The
+donations go to the church and charity. Your father and I will give
+you an extra ten dollars with your allowance for the class. Oh, and
+your father thought he had cash for your allowance, but he forgot he
+used it to buy groceries today. I’ll go to a teller and give you your
+allowance in the morning.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, again thanks.” She gives her a big hug, “Well, I have to
+go to bed now. I think I’m drunk.” Helen tucks her in and gives her a
+kiss goodnight. Joan falls asleep within minutes.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The next morning, Helen returns from the bank teller and from running
+other errands. Joan is on the couch, nursing a hangover and
+struggling through Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. “Mom, I have no
+clue of what he’s talking about!”
+
+Helen – “What are you reading?” Joan flips over the book to show her
+the cover, “Five reasoned proofs for the existence of God. Let’s talk
+about it. I’ve had some difficulty with it, too.”
+
+Joan – “I kind of like that part of it the best. Hey, maybe we should
+have Luke read it. When I first started thinking about God, I asked
+Luke what he believed. He said it was logical to assume God existed.
+‘Nothing is too wonderful to be true,’ I’ll never forget that. This
+book is probably one that he would have no trouble understanding.
+Then he can explain it to us.”
+
+Helen – “Not a bad idea!I like talking about these books, too.” Helen
+thinks to herself about how she loves talking to Joan about anything.
+The reading binge that Joan has been on has really allowed them to
+get closer. And now, maybe Luke, too! She thanks God for that, even
+though she doesn’t know it was actually God who asked Joan to do the
+reading. “I have your allowance.” She hands Joan a teller envelope.
+
+Joan – “Mom, this is too much. You counted wrong.”
+
+Helen – “No, I didn’t. Your father and I also decided to give you a
+raise.”
+
+Joan – “Wow, thanks! I really need a new pair of sneakers. These are
+okay for around the house, but I need something better for in public.
+Wanna go shopping? We can go to the outlet mall and be back before
+Dad’s speech.”
+
+Helen – “I have laundry and dishes to do, we really shouldn’t.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, I can help you with that later. It’ll be fun, a
+mother-daughter outing.” Joan turns on her little girl look and gives
+Helen the sad puppy face.
+
+Helen – “Okay, I guess the laundry and kitchen can wait. Help me
+bring in the rest of the groceries.”
+
+At the Sheriff’s Station
+
+Will returns to his office to find Michael Daghlian is waiting for
+him. After they exchange pleasantries, Mike asks for his job back. He
+explains that he’s been working in Connersburg and that his police
+chief will give him a good recommendation, “Will, I know I screwed
+up, but I’m asking for another chance. I’ll make it right.”
+
+Will is torn. He knows Mike is a good cop, but he broke the rules.
+But with his coming promotion, there will be an opening in the
+detective bureau. It could take months to fill. “I’ll see what I can
+do. I’ll call you when I know something.” They again exchange
+pleasantries and Michael leaves. Will then calls Carlisle into his
+office for their scheduled meeting.
+
+Will – “Carlisle, tell me how your investigation on the paint from
+the St. Peter’s Church vandalism is proceeding.”
+
+Carlisle – “The paint balloons were probably homemade, filled with a
+quick drying marine paint and diluted with paint thinner. It’s odd
+that the perp used marine paint. It is twice as expensive as house
+paint and house paint would have done the trick just as well. I have
+checked all of the marine supply stores and body shops as far out as
+Millersville. No one can recall anyone asking for cans in all of
+these colors, and none can remember anyone asking for pink. There are
+a couple of stores near the marina in Connersburg, but that’s getting
+pretty far away.”
+
+While Carlisle is speaking, Roy Roebuck appears at the door. Will
+motions for him to come in and have a seat.
+
+Will – “Yeah, but Millersville is about halfway between here and
+there. Why don’t you give Mike Daghlian a call?” He gives Carlisle
+his cell phone number, “Ask him check it out.”
+
+Carlisle – “On it boss. Hi, Roy.” Roy gives a wave and Carlisle
+leaves.
+
+Roy – “Mike Daghlian? I haven’t heard that name in a while.”
+
+Will – “Well, he just paid me a visit. He wants his old job back”
+
+Roy – “He was a good cop. I never did learn why he was let go.”
+
+Will – “Well, that’s not important. I think I’m going to hire him
+back. I don’t think I’m likely to find someone else with his
+qualifications. What do you think?”
+
+Roy – “Hey, you’re the new chief. It’s your call.”
+
+Will – “I just meant that you have known him longer. I would like to
+hear your thoughts.”
+
+Roy – “Well, I was in Internal Affairs then, but I can tell you his
+name never crossed my desk, at least, nothing bad. He was clean.”
+
+Will – “I’ll call his police chief right away. Are you ready for the
+press conference?”
+
+Roy – “I hate giving speeches. At least it will be short. You?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I’ve gone over what I plan to say.”
+
+At the Theater
+
+Luke and Grace are leaving the theater. Luke had to drag her to see
+War of the Worlds. Luke loved the book and the first movie and didn’t
+want to miss it.
+
+Luke – “That was so cool! The visual effects were fantastic, and I’ve
+always liked Tom Cruise. Who was that girl? I’ve seen her before.”
+
+Grace – “Dakota something. She’s been in a lot of stuff, but you
+remember her from that Taken mini-series.”
+
+Luke – “You’re right! I haven’t watched that in awhile. I have it all
+on tape.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t remind me, and don’t even ask me to watch it again.
+What was it, twelve hours?”
+
+Luke – “Closer to fifteen.Spielberg did that one, too.”
+
+Grace – “Well, enough aliens already. It’s my turn. Let’s go feed the
+ducks.”
+
+Luke – “I would never have imagined that this was something you liked
+to do.”
+
+Grace – “And if you tell anyone, I’ll kick your ass. I don’t want
+everyone thinking I’m this touchy-feely girl. Just keep your mouth
+shut and no one will get hurt.”
+
+Luke – “Grace, it’s okay, really. I like ducks, too.”
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin is struggling through his fact checking. He’s just not in the
+mood today, but he knows that he has to get it done. Suddenly, Adam
+is standing there. He hadn’t noticed him approaching.
+
+Adam – “Hi, Kevin, do you have a minute?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, I need a break anyway. What’s new?”
+
+Adam – “I need some advice.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I’m not sure you have come to the right place. What
+about?”
+
+Adam – “It’s Joan.”
+
+Kevin – “Whoa!Let’s not go there. I don’t mess in my sister’s
+business.”
+
+Adam – “But I still love her, and I want to win her back.”
+
+Kevin – “Hey, when you cheat on a girl, you always get caught.”
+
+Adam – “She told you?”
+
+Kevin – “No, Luke did. Joan hasn’t said a word. In fact, she has
+refused to tell anyone. You hurt her Adam… really bad.”
+
+Adam – “I know, I just… I just wasn’t thinking straight. How can I
+fix this?”
+
+Kevin – “You may not be able to. When I cheated on...” He pauses to
+look around, “When I cheated on Rebecca, that was it. You and Joan
+may be the same.”
+
+Adam – “But if you really wanted to make it right, what would you
+do?”
+
+Kevin looks at Adam and can tell that he is sincere. He thinks for a
+moment, “Well, you need to show her you really care for her, but not
+in words. Take an interest in the things she likes. Make it so you
+have common interests. Things like that.”
+
+Adam – “She hasn’t been talking to me much. What has she been doing?”
+
+Kevin – “She’s into yoga now, and she’s been reading a lot of
+religious books. That’s all I can think of.”
+
+Adam – “What books?”
+
+Kevin – “Oh, there have been a lot. She read St. Augustine’s
+Confessions. She and mom talked about that a lot. I saw her with
+Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica when I left this morning.” Kevin
+pauses, “Tell you what. I’ll make a list and give it to you
+tomorrow.”
+
+Adam – “Thanks, Kevin.I’ll get copies of those first two books
+tonight.”
+
+At the Shoe Outlet
+
+Joan – “Look at these, they’re perfect!”
+
+Helen – “I thought you were going to buy sneakers?”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I just need them for walking. I’m not doing track. These
+are perfect!”
+
+Helen – “They remind me of a pair I used to have years ago… Keds, I
+think.”
+
+Joan – “Well, they are on sale, and I’m getting them. What do you
+think, plain white or white with little flowers?”
+
+Helen – “I would get the plain white, but the flowers are pretty.”
+
+Joan – “I think so, too. Flowers it is.”
+
+Joan pays for her shoes, and they head for home.
+
+Helen – “Are you hungry?”
+
+Joan – “Starving!I only had orange juice and a couple of Pop-Tarts
+for breakfast.” She looks at several of the restaurants in the mall
+complex, “Have you tried Chick Filet?”
+
+Helen sees the sign, “No, I haven’t. Good thing it’s not Sunday.
+Let’s get something for the drive home.”
+
+At the Duck Pond
+
+Grace – “Luke, we need to talk about something, and I need you to
+take this the right way.”
+
+Luke immediately becomes worried. This sounds like a break-up line.
+“Talk about what?”
+
+Grace – “I really like you, but we are spending way too much time
+together. I think we should cool it for awhile.”
+
+Luke is devastated now, believing that he knows what’s coming next,
+“But I really like you, too. What have I done wrong?”
+
+Grace – “It’s not you, it’s me. I need space in my life for other
+things … for friends.”
+
+Luke – “ Are you breaking up with me? Is there someone else?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, Joan.”
+
+Luke – “You mean you really are gay?”
+
+Grace – “No, Friedman is the only one who believes that. I’m as
+straight as you. But Joan, she’s my best friend, and I want to spend
+more time with her. I really miss that.”
+
+Luke is relieved. He thought it was over, “No problem, I understand,
+we can plan our days together and with friends. I can deal with
+that.”
+
+Grace – “ Thank you. I wasn’t sure how you would take it.”
+
+On the Interstate
+
+Joan is driving just below the speed limit in the right lane. The
+other lane is speeding by, since few people in Maryland seem to obey
+the speed limit. Occasionally, drivers grimace at Grandma Joan as
+they go by. Joan and Helen are talking and enjoying their sandwiches.
+
+A truck struggles ahead as it also climbs the incline in the road. It
+is carrying a load of bricks for a construction site just outside of
+Arcadia. As Joan begins to pass, a strap securing the load breaks. It
+slings like a catapult, sending its buckle crashing through the
+windshield. Joan swerves to the left, but the truck and car are now
+anchored. The jostling causes more straps to break and bricks begin
+pelting the car and the road. Debris slashes a tire and Joan loses
+control. As the car flips, Joan screams and the roar of the truck’s
+tires fades to silence.
+
+At Arcadia’s City County Building
+
+Will steps up to the podium, “It will once again be my honor to serve
+as the Chief of Police for the city of Arcadia. I do not take these
+duties lightly. Crime in our city has become an increasing problem,
+with acts of violence especially on the rise. I pledge as my first
+duty to find the criminals responsible, so they can be brought to
+justice. I accept this position knowing full well it is you, the
+citizens of Arcadia, that we are obligated to serve. Thank you.” He
+returns to his seat.
+
+At the Duck Pond
+
+Luke – “Come on, let’s go. We’re out of popcorn.”
+
+Grace – “But I like just watching the ducks, too.”
+
+Luke – “Joan was home when I left. Maybe she’s still there. If she
+is, you can spend the rest of the day with her. I’ll find something
+else to do.”
+
+Grace – “I said I wanted to spend more time with her, but I didn’t
+mean it had to be now.”
+
+Luke - “But you are right, my sister needs her friend, too. I’m
+willing to share.”
+
+Grace – “That’s sweet, dog boy. Let’s go see if she’s home.”
+
+On the Interstate
+
+Joan sluggishly regains consciousness. Her arms are dangling above
+her, since the seatbelt is still securing her to the seat. She
+glances over to see her mother. She is still unconscious. Some people
+are talking and banging on the doors outside of the car. They appear
+to be wedged beneath the trailer. She looks back and realizes she has
+the Rocky glow, “Oh God, I’m dead! Please, no... I’m not ready!” She
+grabs her mother’s arm, “Mom, help me!” The glow flows from her hand
+and spreads over Helen like syrup over a pancake. Helen begins to
+arouse. As the glow fades, so does Joan.
+
+Judith and another girl are walking toward her, “I met a friend of
+yours. You have a lot more friends than you know.”
+
+Joan remembers her. It’s Cory Callahan! Well, actually Corinth, but
+everyone called her Cory. She was the one friend Joan really hated to
+leave when they moved to Arcadia, “Cory! I’ve missed you so much. How
+is everybody back home?”
+
+Cory – “Everyone is sad. They miss me, too, but now I’m here with
+Judith.”
+
+Joan – “You mean you’re...”
+
+Cory – “Dead?Yes, but I came here with Judith to give you a message.”
+
+Joan – “What message? From whom?”
+
+Cory – “You know who it’s from. Do you see the clock on the wall?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, so what?”
+
+Cory – “What time is it?”
+
+Joan – “Nine minutes after twelve. And?”
+
+Another girl comes and takes Cory’s hand, “Come on, it’s time to
+play.”
+
+Cory – “This is my friend Raphaela. She’s a lot like you. I have to
+go now.”
+
+Joan – “But wait, what’s the message?”
+
+Judith – “You’ll figure it out Jo-Jo. See you later.”
+
+Joan hears another voice, “Joan, honey, can you hear me?”
+
+Joan - “Mom?” Joan slowly becomes aware, “Oh, God! Where am I?”
+
+Helen – “It’s okay, the men pried open the door. The paramedics are
+here to help you.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I’m okay. I’ll get out.”
+
+Helen – “Joan, noooo! Stay there. You’re hurt and bleeding. Let them
+do their job.”
+
+Joan resigns and lets the men work. As she becomes more aware, she
+also becomes aware of the incredible pain in her head. She thinks
+about Judith, “What good are you? You give me this cryptic message
+and then leave me with a headache from hell.” She thinks about Cory.
+Tears begin to flow, “God, what did I do to deserve... ouch!”
+
+Paramedic – “Sorry.”The paramedic finishes securing her neck brace,
+“Joan, we are going to undo your seatbelt now, but don’t worry, we’re
+going to catch you.” Almost as soon as he says it, Joan feels herself
+being whisked onto a gurney and into the ambulance. Helen joins her
+at her side.
+
+At the Hospital
+
+Helen tries to call Will, but gets his voice mail. Will had turned
+his phone off for the speech. She calls the station and finds Toni.
+She relays the information about the accident and asks Toni to find
+Will.
+
+Joan is taken immediately into the triage area where the doctor
+examines her. The doctor cleans the dried blood from around her nose
+and ears. The bleeding has stopped. She examines the rest of her and
+can find no external bleeding. However, there is bruising nearly
+everywhere she has looked. A technician has been simultaneously
+hooking up an ECG and taking blood pressure. He reads off the stats.
+Everything appears normal. The doctor orders a full body CT scan. She
+sends for an orderly to take Joan to CT for the examination.
+
+At Arcadia’s City County Building
+
+When Toni arrives, Will is still seated, waiting for the other
+speakers to finish. Toni signals for him to come, but Will responds
+with a ‘No, it wouldn’t be proper’ look. Toni signals once again, but
+this time she gives him the mother ‘You will come here, now’ look.
+Will leaves the stage as inconspicuously as he can. When he reaches
+Toni, she simply says, “We have to go.” Once they are on the way,
+Toni tells him about the accident. UMC is only a few minutes away.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin looks up to see Rebecca standing there.
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, I have to tell you something.”
+
+Kevin’s cell phone rings, so he motions for Rebecca to wait. Will
+tells him about the accident and that Helen appears to be okay, but
+Joan is hurt badly. He asks Kevin to find Luke and bring him to the
+hospital. He knows that Luke will probably be with Grace since they
+had planned to go to the movies today.
+
+After overhearing the conversation, Rebecca is relieved… well,
+somewhat. She had heard from Susan at the ER about Joan’s arrival.
+She was glad for once not to have to give Kevin the bad news.
+
+Kevin wonders how to find Luke. He calls the advertising department
+and asks for Adam, “Adam, does Grace Polk have a cell phone?”
+
+Adam – “Sure, but it’s not on half of the time. Why, what’s going
+on?”
+
+Kevin – “Luke is with her, and I need to find him. Joan has been in
+an accident.”
+
+Adam – “Joan? How bad?”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t know, but it’s bad. Do you know the number or not?”
+
+Adam gives Kevin the number. Kevin thanks him and hangs up.
+
+At Home
+
+Luke and Grace arrive at home to find no one is there. They fix
+themselves a sandwich, since the ducks ate all of their popcorn. Luke
+continues talking about the movie, comparing the differences between
+the new movie and the 1953 version, “In the 1953 movie, the aliens
+were from Mars. In this one, they never said where the aliens came
+from. In the original movie, they came down in cylinders. In this
+one, the aliens came down in the lightning, but the ships were
+already here. In the original...”
+
+Grace has been patiently listening, but has had enough, “Okay, enough
+aliens already. I went to the movie. Isn’t that enough? The corrupt
+human totalitarian regime is destroyed by a corrupt alien
+totalitarian regime and the world is returned to anarchy. That sums
+it up for me.”
+
+Grace’s phone rings, “Yeah, what do you want?”
+
+Kevin – “Grace, this is Kevin, is Luke with you?”
+
+Grace hands the phone to Luke, “It’s your brother.”
+
+Kevin tells Luke about the accident and learns that they are at home.
+He tells him he will be by to pick him up shortly. Luke and Grace go
+out to the front porch to wait.
+
+When Kevin hangs up the phone, he looks up to see Adam is standing
+there, “I want to come with you.”
+
+Kevin knows he can’t say no, “Let’s go.”
+
+At the Hospital
+
+Will and Toni arrive.Helen gives Will a big hug, and she proceeds to
+tell them about the accident.
+
+Will interrupts her, “Helen, your clothes are soaked in blood. Have
+you had someone check you out?”
+
+For the first time, Helen looks down at herself. She looks back up at
+Will, “I’m fine.” She breaks down and cries, “It must be Joan’s
+blood.”
+
+The doctor comes out to give Will and Helen a report on Joan’s
+condition. It is the same doctor who treated Joan for Lyme disease
+last year. She begins to speak with that beautiful Slavic accent,
+“Joan is suffering from a concussion. The bleeding from her nose and
+ears has stopped, but there may be other injuries. She has bruising
+on nearly every part of her body. I have sent her to CT for a more
+comprehensive examination.”
+
+Helen – “What does that mean? How serious is it?”
+
+Doctor – “She’s disoriented and complaining of a headache… and she’s
+babbling, talking to someone named Judith and Cory. She vomited on
+the way to CT. The full body CT scan will tell us more about the
+condition of her brain, but it will also tell us the condition of the
+other parts of her body.”
+
+The doctor looks at Helen, “I think you should let me take a look at
+you. You are covered in blood!”
+
+Helen – “I’m fine, it’s Joan’s blood.”
+
+Will – “Helen, will you please let the doctor look at you? For me?”
+
+Helen concedes and goes off with the doctor to be examined.
+
+Kevin, Adam, Luke, and Grace arrive. Helen returns and sits next to
+Will, “I’m fine.” Will puts his arm around her and holds her close.
+They begin to endure the unbearable waiting. Grace breaks the silence
+and asks, “Should we send for a priest? What are we supposed to be
+doing?” They all start looking at each other when Will surprises
+everyone with his response, “We pray.”
+
+The doctor returns once again to give a report on Joan’s condition,
+“Joan is doing better, but she’s still in a great deal of pain. The
+CT scan did not find any internal bleeding. However, her pituitary
+gland is enlarged. That is probably the cause of her delirium. I have
+given her medication, and she is now sleeping. I am transferring her
+to the ICU for observation.”
+
+Helen – “What a minute, enlarged pituitary gland!What does that
+mean?”
+
+Doctor – “The pituitary gland is at the base of the brain. Your
+daughter’s is swollen. The medication will reduce the swelling and
+also ease her pain. She will most likely sleep through the night.”
+
+Helen – “But, will she be all right?”
+
+Doctor – “I’m sorry, we won’t know until in the morning.”
+
+Joan is admitted to the ICU for monitoring. Will once again begins
+the overnight vigil, while the others go home. Helen rejoins him
+after taking a shower and changing clothes.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+As the doctor had predicted, Joan did sleep through the night.
+Another doctor assigned to the ICU has been taking care of Joan. He
+reads her chart and examines Joan once again, “Your daughter’s vitals
+have remained stable during the night, but the bruising has become
+more pronounced. I have added a blood thinner to her IV. That should
+help. We are sending Joan to have another CT scan. After we see the
+results, I’ll let you know more.”
+
+They take Joan down for the exam, and after a few hours, she returns.
+The doctor returns shortly thereafter, “The swelling in her brain has
+decreased. I am reducing her medication. That should allow her to
+wake up. A large hematoma has developed behind her left kneecap. We
+are going to have to drain it, but overall, your daughter is looking
+much better. We’ll know more after she wakes up.”
+
+The doctor leaves, and after about an hour, Joan wakes up with a
+start. She looks around, but she has no idea of where she is, “Mom,
+are you all right? I’m sorry. I’ll never drive again.”
+
+Helen – “Honey, I’m fine, it wasn’t your fault. You just need to get
+better.”
+
+Joan – “My shoes! Where are my new shoes?”
+
+Helen – “We’ll get you a new pair. Don’t worry about it.”
+
+She collapses back down onto the bed, “God, I hurt everywhere!”
+
+Helen – “Everything is almost broken, but you are going to be okay.”
+
+Joan lays there while the feeling from different parts of her body
+returns to normal. It’s a mixed joy as she moves her fingers and toes
+and realizes that they are still there, but each movement comes with
+pain. The exception is her left knee. The throbbing pain from there
+is continuous.
+
+Over the next several hours, Joan is visited by a variety of doctors.
+Initially, she was shocked when a doctor introduced himself as Doctor
+Dan. She had been looking away toward her father and turned back
+toward the doctor with a start when he introduced himself. She was
+relieved to see he was a young man, actually kind of cute. He is the
+one who drained the blood from her knee. He tricked her. While he was
+explaining the procedure, he actually performed it. It only took a
+few seconds. While Joan was still waiting for it to begin, he
+announced that he was finished. The pain from that area was already
+beginning to subside.
+
+Other visiting doctors were a psychiatrist and a physical therapist.
+The psychiatrist asked questions from a form Will and Helen had
+filled out. It was just things like her name, birthday, address,
+stuff like that. He was evaluating her memory. She passed with flying
+colors, except for when it came to the accident. She remembers the
+car flipping, but nothing after that.
+
+The physical therapist takes her through a series of motions,
+wiggling her toes, lifting her arms and legs, to make sure that
+everything still works. Everything does, but not without a pain with
+each motion, and her left knee is still a source of great pain.
+
+Will and Helen have been periodically calling home.All have been
+eagerly awaiting the updates. Grace spends the night, and Adam
+returns in the morning. Lilly has taken over the kitchen duties and
+is keeping them well fed. All were especially relieved when Joan
+finally woke up, but they were disheartened to learn of her pain.
+
+When Adam returned, he brought with him a small sculpture. It was
+something he had been working on, and he spent last evening finishing
+it. He places it on Joan’s dresser.
+
+Just before dinnertime, Will and Helen receive a report from the
+doctor. Unless something changes during the night, Joan will be
+released in the morning, “She won’t be able to walk for awhile, at
+least not without crutches and a knee brace, but her bruising is
+fading remarkably well. It may only be a week or two before she can
+walk on her own.” Fortunately, the house is already prepared for
+Kevin, so it won’t be such a challenge for Joan.
+
+Grace, Luke, and Adam have been busy cleaning the house. Every room
+is spotless with everything in its place. When they receive the news
+of Joan’s return in the morning, they pay a visit to The Party House.
+They return with an assortment of balloons and banners. The living
+room and Joan’s bedroom are amazing sights to see.
+
+The next morning, Joan is ready to leave. She had wanted to go home
+the night before, but the doctors wouldn’t let her, and of course,
+her parents sided with them. However, when the time finally arrives,
+Will signs off on the paperwork and goes to retrieve the car. Helen
+and Joan head toward the entrance, with an orderly pushing Joan in a
+wheelchair.
+
+Will pulls up to the loading area in a royal blue 2005 Buick LeSabre.
+He and the orderly help Joan into the back seat. Helen joins her from
+the other side and Will drives them home.
+
+Joan – “Is this our new car?”
+
+Will – “No, it’s a rental. It’ll be a few more days before our
+insurance claim is processed.”
+
+Joan – “This is nice, but you can get whatever you want. I’m never
+driving again.”
+
+Will and Helen decide to let it pass without comment.When they arrive
+at home, Grace, Luke, and Adam are waiting at the curb with Kevin’s
+wheelchair. They get Joan into it and take her into the house. She
+sees Kevin on the couch and how wonderful the living room is
+decorated, “This is so beautiful. Thank you.” Her eyes begin to
+water, “But... but I have to go to sleep now. I’m just too tired.”
+
+She is still weak, but it’s the pain with every movement that wears
+her down the most. Will carries her upstairs, and he and Helen tuck
+her in bed. Helen gives her a painkiller the doctor had prescribed,
+and she goes to sleep within minutes.
+
+After a few hours, Joan wakes up and calls, “Mom… Mom.” Helen comes
+upstairs, “Mom, I haven’t had a shower in two days. I need you to
+help me.”
+
+Helen calls Will and they get her knee brace back on and help her
+onto her crutches. They walk on either side of her to the bathroom in
+case she falls. Will excuses himself once they arrive safely.
+
+Joan can wash herself while using Kevin’s bath chair, but she can’t
+raise her arms high enough to shampoo her hair. It is still matted
+with dried blood, and she can’t stand it. Helen washes Joan’s hair
+and her back. Helen dries her and helps her into a new pair of
+pajamas. Joan is exhausted from the ordeal, soWill carries her back
+to her bed.
+
+Once there, she begins to feel better. She looks around and notices
+the decorations and balloons. She also sees Adam’s sculpture on her
+dresser. Yes, she remembers now, but she hadn’t noticed the sculpture
+in her dream. She is pleased with the familiarity, “Are Grace and
+Adam still here?”
+
+Helen – “Yes, they are both downstairs.”
+
+Joan – “I would like to see them, but one at a time. Can you ask
+Grace to come up?”
+
+Grace comes in and pulls up a chair, “Hey Danica, how are you doing?”
+
+Joan – “Huh?Ah, not too good, but the doctors say I’ll be better
+soon. Thank you for all of the decorations. They’re really nice.”
+
+Grace – “Well, Luke and Adam helped too.”
+
+Joan – “Can you get that sculpture and bring it over here so I can
+see it?”
+
+Grace retrieves it and Joan begins to examine it, “This is so
+beautiful. I’ve never seen Adam make anything like this.”
+
+The sculpture is mixed media, an abstract with realistic flowers. The
+vase is completely silver except for the flowers Adam painted with
+realistic colors.
+
+Grace – “Yeah, this is a new thing for Adam. He’s mixing abstract and
+real. He knew you liked Black-Eyed Susans.”
+
+Joan – “I yelled at him the other day.”
+
+Grace – “I know, he told me about it.”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t mean to, I just got so mad.”
+
+Grace thinks for a moment, “You haven’t told me what you want to do,
+so I’m not getting in the middle of this, but if you want something
+with him again, you need to stop pushing him away.”
+
+Joan – “I still don’t know what I want, but I’ll apologize. That will
+help.” She pauses while her thoughts change, “Has there been anything
+else going on you would like to talk about?”
+
+Grace – “You have been the only thing going on, sister. But if you
+want a bit of news, you backed up the interstate for six miles.
+That’s quite an accomplishment.” They both smile.
+
+Joan – “You should go home. I’m going to have to take another pill
+soon and when I do, it’s lights out.”
+
+Grace – “I have already claimed the couch. I’m not going anywhere.”
+
+Joan laughs. “Who would have thought that the blue pill had a kick,
+too?”
+
+They both smile, “Will you ask Adam to come up?”
+
+Grace goes downstairs, “Adam, she wants to see you, but don’t stay
+long. She’s winding down.”
+
+Adam walks upstairs. He peeks into the room before entering, “Hi,
+Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Hi, Adam.Thank you for the sculpture and the decorations.
+There are both beautiful! I really like how the flowers look so
+real.”
+
+Adam – “I hoped you would like it. The ‘Mother and Child’ sculpture
+I’m doing for the library will be like that, too.”
+
+Joan – “You be sure to tell me when it’s ready. I want to see it.”
+
+Adam – “I will.” He pauses for a moment, “I’m sorry about the other
+day.”
+
+Joan – “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you… I just…
+remember when I smashed your sculpture?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, but I forgave you.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but before you finally did, Grace told me about your
+photographic memory, and how every time you thought you might forgive
+me, the image of me smashing your artwork would pop into your head.
+That’s how it is with me. I think I am almost there and then bam, I
+remember you and Bonnie and it all falls apart. I just need more time
+to sort it out. Do you understand?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I do. I’ll stay out of your way.”
+
+Joan – “No, I don’t want you out of my way. I just need you to be
+patient.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I hear you. Hey, I have to go. I’ll send your mother
+up.”
+
+Adam leaves and Joan lays there depressed. She clearly didn’t make
+things better with Adam, and her aches and pains are now back in full
+force. She is relieved when Helen comes in with her medicine, “Tell
+Kevin and Luke I’m sorry I haven’t spent time with them yet. I will
+as soon as I wake up.”
+
+Helen – “They understand, don’t worry about it. Get some rest.”
+
+After another two-hour nap, Joan wakes up actually feeling pretty
+good. But nature is calling, so she decides she’s going to make it to
+the bathroom on her own. She puts on her knee brace and gets up on
+her crutches. Downstairs, they hear the thumping as she heads for the
+bathroom. By the time Will and Helen make it up the stairs, Joan is
+already inside.
+
+Helen – “Joan, are you all right?”
+
+Joan – “I’m fine, I had to go.”
+
+Helen – “Do you need help?”
+
+Joan – “No, I can handle it on my own.”
+
+She washes her hands and looks into the mirror. This is the first
+time she has seen herself since the accident. She storms thumping out
+of the bathroom. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me about that huge bruise
+on my forehead?”
+
+Helen – “You have bruises everywhere. It doesn’t matter.”
+
+Joan – “Well, it does to me. Get me a mirror and my makeup.”
+
+Joan gets back into bed, and Helen helps her to conceal the bruise,
+“Mom, Kevin told me about what you said the other day. What was your
+mother like?”
+
+Helen – “I was mad, I should have never had brought it up.”
+
+Joan – “But I want to know.”
+
+Helen pauses while she collects her memories, “She looked a lot like
+your Aunt Olive, only taller and thinner. She took very good care of
+me and played with me all of the time. We would draw things together.
+She never painted, but she sketched the most beautiful drawings. Of
+course my drawings were in crayon, but she praised every one of them.
+I still have one she did of me. I’ll have to show it to you. She was
+the most wonderful mother to me.
+
+“She had told me about her dreams, but I didn’t really understand
+what she was telling me. But one day, she told me she had to leave.
+She was sick and needed to get help. I don’t think even she realized
+that she would never be coming home. Aunt Olive told me later that
+she was afraid she might hurt me. She could no longer tell the
+difference between her dreams and reality, and she was confused all
+of the time. They wouldn’t let me visit her, and I never saw her
+again.
+
+“I stayed with Reverend Thompson and his wife for a long time. Then
+your grandpa and grandma Brodie came and got me, and they became my
+parents.”
+
+Joan – “What was your father like? Why didn’t he keep you?”
+
+Helen – “I never knew him. Your grandmother never talked about him.”
+
+Joan thinks for a moment, “What was your mother’s name?”
+
+Helen smiles, “Agnes, her name was Agnes.”
+
+Joan ponders her mother’s bittersweet memories, “Thank you for
+telling me.” She sits up and slides to the side of the bed. She
+kisses Helen on the cheek. She would love to give her a hug, but that
+is not something she can do just yet. “Can you ask Kevin and Luke to
+come up?”
+
+Helen – “Luke went home with Grace to pick up some clothes. He’ll be
+back soon.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’m going downstairs.”
+
+Helen – “Are you sure? Kevin can come up here.”
+
+Joan – “The doctor says I should try to walk, and I feel pretty good
+now. Help me get the brace back on.”
+
+Helen helps her with the brace and gets her onto the lift. She begins
+to explain the control, “Mom, I’ve ridden this a lot of times when no
+one’s been home.” The lift hums to her as it takes her down the
+stairs. She smiles at her mother, “Free ride!”
+
+Kevin is on the couch, so she crutches over and sits beside him.
+“Thank you for all of the decorations.”
+
+Kevin – “I just supervised, but I’m glad you like them.” He reaches
+for a basket on the coffee table, “Here, you have mail.”
+
+She leafs through the envelopes and sees a lot of familiar names, the
+Goetzmann’s and one specifically from Elizabeth, the Polonsky’s, the
+Rove’s, “Gavin Price? How did he find out about me?”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t know. There was only a little blurb in the
+newspaper, mainly about the traffic jam you caused. Word of mouth, I
+guess.”
+
+She looks through some more, “Who’s Susan Jordan?”
+
+Kevin – “I have no idea, but there sure are a lot of people thinking
+about you.”
+
+Will comes in from the kitchen, “How are you feeling? Can I get you
+anything?”
+
+Joan – “I’m actually feeling pretty good now. Is there any tea left?”
+
+Will – “Coming up.”He returns with the tea.
+
+Joan – “When are you going back to work?”
+
+Will – “I’ve taken the rest of the week off.”
+
+Joan – “You don’t have to, I’m doing better.”
+
+Will – “I’m the only one strong enough to carry you. I’ll be here if
+you need me.”
+
+Helen comes in from the kitchen, “Dinner’s almost ready. Does roast
+beef sound good?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I am kind of hungry.”
+
+When Luke and Grace return, Luke sits beside her and Grace sits in a
+stuffed chair, “Thank you for all of the decorations.”
+
+Luke – “No big deal.How are you feeling?”
+
+Joan – “Pretty good, actually. I still hurt, but a lot less then
+before. In fact, if I feel this good tomorrow, I’m getting rid of
+these crutches. I only need them because of my knee.” She looks at
+Grace, “I’m glad you’re here, but you don’t have to stay.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t get too comfy, you’re sitting on my bed.”
+
+Will returns again from the kitchen carrying a tray with Joan’s
+dinner, “I hope you’re hungry.”
+
+Joan – “Dad, no, I want to eat at the table with everyone else. Just
+get me a pillow to sit on.”
+
+Luke interrupts, “I’ll go get it.”
+
+They all gather around the table and Helen recites a prayer, “God,
+thank you for our family and friends. Thank you for this wonderful
+meal, and thank you for bringing Joan back home to us. Amen.”
+
+After dinner, Joan retires to her bedroom. She is feeling better, but
+not that much better. She and Grace talk for a while, mainly about
+Adam, “I’m still mad at him, but it hurts to know he’s now mad at me.
+I still don’t know what to do. I’m such a mess.”
+
+Grace smiles, “Unchallenged! But once you decide what you want to do,
+I’m here for you.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Grace.Can you get my journal for me? It’s under the
+magazines in the closet.”
+
+Grace – “Clever, can I take a peek?”
+
+Joan – “No, maybe some day.”
+
+Grace retrieves the notebook, “That’s a good place, but eventually
+your mother’s going to find it cleaning or something.”
+
+Joan – “I move it around. I don’t always hide it in here. No one but
+you even knows it exists. Thank you, I’ll see you in the morning. Can
+you have Mom bring up my pill?”
+
+Helen brings up her pill, and she sets it on the nightstand. Joan
+begins to write in her journal. She writes about her Dad’s promotion
+and Mom’s battle with the school board, about her outing with her
+mother and how wonderful it was up until the accident, how great it
+is to be home again, and how beautiful the living room and her
+bedroom are decorated. She describes the sculpture Adam made for her.
+She lays the journal down and picks up the pill and glass of water.
+She pauses and thinks about what God told her. She puts them back
+down on the nightstand. She decides to write one more thing to her
+journal, ‘I don’t even know if I should include this, because I was
+bonkers at the time, but here’s the dream. Judith - Cory Callahan -
+12:09 - Raphaela? I have no idea what it means. Goodnight!’